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Featuring Acoustic Chamber Music Arrangements Of His Electronic Dance Music Hits

Mar 30, 2015

NEW YORK, March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- "What's left of my music if I have it played by classical musicians and omit the most important element, the beats?" This question was the starting point for Instruments, the new album from Henrik Schwarz, the internationally celebrated producer, composer and performer of electronic dance music (EDM). Available April 14 via Sony Classical, the album features six acoustic chamber music arrangements of his electronic dance hits, plus an original composition.

Four years have passed now since the Berlin musician and producer was first invited to have a selection of his house tracks played by an orchestra. Now, the Tokyo Secret Orchestra has recorded seven pieces arranged for chamber orchestra that are reminiscent of the minimalism of Steve Reich and Michael Nyman.

The last ten years have seen quite a few classical performances of electronic club music. Many of these were in the "classic rock" tradition of the 1970's, when symphony orchestras played the pop hits of the day. "In most cases, electronic beats were then mixed into the orchestral arrangements, but I always found that a bit half-hearted," says Schwarz. He wasn't interested in so-called crossover; what interested him was what happens when club music is transferred to a body of classical instruments. "I wanted to see whether this music still means anything when you take away all the synthetic sounds and the beats." This prompted Schwarz to experiment with the scores, working together with arranger Johannes Brecht and various ensembles, without any computer sounds or acoustic percussion instruments that supply a rhythm in 4/4 time.

For more than a decade, Henrik Schwarz, 42, has been one of the best-respected house producers and a sought-after remixer working with artists like Steve Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Ane Brun and Coldplay. In recent years, Schwarz has worked on a number of cross-genre projects: writing the music for a silent film, working with the Berlin State Ballet and painter Norbert Bisky, recording with leading jazzmen Bugge Wesseltoft and Dan Berglund, and performing concerts with pianist Nik Bartsch. In addition, the arrangements on Instruments have been performed by different orchestras in some of Europe's best-known concert venues, such as Berlin's Kammermusiksaal, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw or the Tonhalle in Zurich.

The breakthrough came for Schwarz personally with a performance by 27 young Japanese musicians under conductor Emi Akiyama: they appeared in a Buddhist temple in 2013 under the name Tokyo Secret Orchestra. "Suddenly I heard my own music with different ears. Classical music makes completely different demands on the players from a house track. In house music it's the precision timing that creates the groove, but an orchestra is not used to playing like a machine. However, in Tokyo, I had the feeling that the musicians managed to penetrate to the music's core."

The recordings made in Japan supplied the source material for Instruments. Included are acoustic chamber music arrangements of Schwarz's EDM hits like the 2006 remix of "Wamims" and "Walk Music," which he has used as an opener for his live sets, plus one new composition "In Bjorndal."

All the pieces have been arranged for a complete body of strings (violins, violas, cellos and double bass). The strings are joined by low woodwind (bass flute, bass clarinet and bassoon), which not only supply individual timbres, but are also a source of rhythm like a vibraphone, a percussion instrument that is also a part of the new arrangements. In this context, the focus is on the magic and the magnetic power of minimalism, something that American composer Steve Reich used to influence the pop and techno scene with his cleverly interlocking rhythmic chains.

Right at the outset of "Walk Music," there is a magical combination of single, lyrical notes from the strings and mysterious vibraphone figures in the background. The following track, "Marvin," literally sprouts from a single note that is constantly repeated. Here, the bass flute, the viola and the cello evolve a rhythmic energy whose slightly burlesque tone is initially reminiscent of the neo-classicism of Stravinsky – at least until the orchestra strikes up a groove in several parts.

Nor is this by any means the only reference to the great classical masters: inconspicuous reminiscences of this kind are cunningly sprinkled in at liberty. The piece "In Bjorndal" radiates a curious and seductive melancholy magic that could almost be a tribute to Arnold Schonberg and his prismatic style. For "Leave My Head Alone Brain Seven," arranger Johannes Brecht added to the ensemble a bassett horn, a member of the clarinet family that Mozart was particularly fond of. In "I Exist Because Of You" the cello sometimes plays the so-called 'Bartok pizzicati' that go back to the Hungarian composer: the cellist twangs the string and then lets it spring back against the fingerboard.

The harmonies and sounds of the original tracks are played here by the strings and also a number of woodwind instruments, among which the bass clarinet has the starring role. Time and time again, production techniques from electronic music such as loops or low-cuts are transformed into orchestral arrangements, with frequencies being muffled over the space of several bars (e.g. in "Leave My Head Alone Brain Seven"). The result is a new kind of music played on classical instruments. A music that doesn't deny its roots in the club world and could only be created on the computer; a music that manages to transport the energy of electronic dance music to the classical concert hall – with the bass drum only present in the listener's head.

Produced, Arranged and Conducted by Craig Leon

Live Dates to be Announced Shortly

Mar 25, 2015

NEW YORK, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In January 2015, Moog Music, the 60-year-old analogue synthesizer company, announced that for the first time in more than 30 years, it would once again build the large format modular synthesizers that were first introduced by its founder, Dr. Robert Moog in 1964. 2015 also marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of Dr. Robert 'Bob' Moog (1934-2005), inventor of the Moog synthesizer.

To mark these anniversaries, Sony Classical is releasing Bach to Moog on May 4th. The new album showcases the reissued Moog Modular Synthesizer as well as the modern generation of Moog synthesizers and presents the glorious works of Johann Sebastian Bach in a compelling and contemporary way. Bach to Moog is produced by American-born composer, arranger and record producer Craig Leon, famous for his work with The Ramones and Blondie, as well as his work in the classical arena with such leading artists as Luciano Pavarotti, Joshua Bell and Sir James Galway. Leon is also celebrated for his seminal synthesizer albums from the 1970s, Nommos and Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music Vol. 1 which were rereleased in 2014 to great acclaim and to a new generation of electronic music fans. On Bach to Moog, Leon blends his love and mastery of classical music, electronic music and synthesizers and is joined by acclaimed British classical violinist, Jennifer Pike (the youngest ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition) alongside the Sinfonietta Cracovia.

In 1968, the album Switched On Bach inspired many musicians of the time to explore the wondrous new world of synthesized music making. This ground-breaking album was the first to ever take standard classical repertoire and interpret it solely on a device which generated new sounds electronically. Although there had been research and sonic experiments conducted earlier, it was namely after this breakthrough release that the synthesizer entered the mainstream of modern experimental and pop music recording.

As a welcome extension to the synthesized exploration of Bach's music and the many creative opportunities that opened up 50 years ago, the Bach to Moog album integrates the Moog modular synthesizer into the orchestra as a solo instrument, in ensemble and also as a processor of other instruments. Excitingly, this is also the first album to be recorded utilizing the newly re-issued Moog System 55 Modular Synthesizer, which duplicates and modernizes the iconic Moog modular synthesizers of the 1970s and in the album adds the modular synthesizer to the palette of a modern classical orchestra.

Mar 19, 2015 | Sony Music to purchase remaining interest in The Orchard, the world’s leading independent digital distributor

NEW YORK—March 19, 2015—Sony Music Entertainment today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Dimensional Associates, LLC to acquire the remaining interest in The Orchard, the global independent music, video and film distribution company. The Orchard will continue to operate separately from Sony Music and will be led by its existing executive team. […]Read More »

WINS 'ALBUM OF THE YEAR' AT THE 2015 JUNO AWARDS

Pre-Order Now Available

Mar 17, 2015

TORONTO, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Leonard Cohen releases Can't Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour on May 12, 2015. The ten songs of this hypnotic album are Cohen rarities recorded on his recent, celebrated "Old Ideas World Tour." Remarkably, this is Cohen's third album release since last September's Platinum selling Popular Problems which garnered four 2015 JUNO AWARD nominations and won for the coveted 'Album of the Year'.

The songs on Can't Forget have the immediacy, spontaneity, and thrilling intimacy of the best studio recordings made in the white heat of live performance and Cohen's legendary soundchecks, in which he brings the colors of his virtuoso band to full bloom in harmony with his voice, never more seductive. Here is a full range of Leonard Cohen's work: new songs including, from the realm of blues, the wickedly funny "Got a Little Secret" and "Never Gave Nobody Trouble"; luxurious performances of such Cohen masterpieces as "I Can't Forget," "Light As the Breeze," "Night Comes On," and a sublime "Joan of Arc". Cohen also treats us to a gripping version of the Quebecois love song "La Manic," performed before a captivated audience in Quebec City, and a moving tribute cover of the late country master George Jones's "Choices." These are songs and performances of the first order that you can't forget.

Can't Forget is available for pre-order at all digital service providers, where fans will receive "Never Gave Nobody Trouble" instantly with purchase.

Cohen's live concert tours were met with extraordinary and unanimous accolades as he performed around the world from 2008 through 2013. His mesmerizing performances totaled 470 shows in 31 countries, attended by four million fans. Can't Forget gives listeners an extremely special glimpse into Cohen's intimate rehearsal process, widely known to be in-depth 'concerts before the concert!,' heard by fans for the first time with this new record. Cohen continues to work with vocalists, musicians, producers and engineers who are the best in the business.

Can't Forget: A Souvenir of the Grand Tour Tracklisting:

Field Commander Cohen

I Can't Forget

Light as the Breeze

La Manic ++ (originally by Georges Dor)

Night Comes On

Never Gave Nobody Trouble ***

Joan of Arc

Got a Little Secret ***

Choices ++ (originally by George Jones)

Stages

*** New original Leonard Cohen songs++ Covers never previously recorded by Cohen

ABOUT LEONARD COHEN:Leonard Cohen is a master songwriter, musician, poet, novelist and visual artist whose stunning body of original work has touched the lives of millions with a career spanning six decades. With over 23 million albums worldwide and 12 published books, Cohen's influence on musical and theatrical artists the world over is inestimable. With a career spanning five decades, Leonard Cohen has been honored as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient (2010), inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame (2008), the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame (2006), the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame (2006) and the Songwriters Hall Of Fame (2010). He has received the prestigious Principe de Asturias Prize – the highest literary award in Spain (Spain, 2011) as well as the Glenn Gould Prize, awarded to an individual for a unique lifetime contribution that has enriched the human condition through the arts (Canada, 2011). The Canadian native has earned his country's highest civilian honors - Officer of the Order of Canada (1991), Companion to the Order of Canada (2003), Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2008).

RSD 2015 Legacy Titles Include:

The Wrestling Album/Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 12" 2LP & More

Mar 10, 2015

NEW YORK, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce the label's electrifying line-up of collectible 7" and 12" vinyl releases for Record Store Day 2015, celebrated at independent record stores worldwide on Saturday, April 18, 2015. To find a local participating record store, please visit: http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venues

Now in its eighth year, Record Store Day is an annual day-long celebration of record store culture held on the third Saturday in April. RSD has named Dave Grohl Record Store Day Ambassador 2015.

Legacy Recordings releases for Record Store Day 2015 include:

311 - "Grifters" c/w "Who's Got the Herb" - 7" White VinylThis 7" white vinyl single debuts two previously unreleased versions of songs much beloved by fans of 311. "Grifter" was originally recorded during the Omaha rock band's 1997 Transistor sessions. "Who's Got The Herb," 311's interpretation of a song first recorded by Bad Brains frontman H.R., comes from 2001's From Chaos sessions. Both tracks will appear on the forthcoming 311 Legacy box set, slated for release in summer 2015.

Adam and the Ants - "Kings of the Wild Frontier" c/w "Antmusic" - 7" Gold VinylLegacy Recordings and RSD 2015 celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of Adam and the Ants' blockbusting Kings of the Wild Frontier (the UK #1 album that introduced the Burundi beat drum sound to the world at large) with this double A side single showcasing restored original artwork and audio.

Bruce Springsteen - The Album Collection Vol. 1 1973-1984 - seven individual 12" Vinyl TitlesAvailable individually for RSD 2015, newly remastered 12" vinyl editions of the first seven albums recorded and released by Bruce Springsteen for Columbia Records between 1973 and 1984. Recently transferred from the original analogue masters and remastered for release by Bob Ludwig, working with Springsteen and longtime engineer Toby Scott, these essential Springsteen album titles include: Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. (1973), The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle (1973), Born To Run (1975), Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978), The River (1980), Nebraska (1982) and Born In The U.S.A. (1984).

Cassandra Wilson - "You Go To My Head" c/w "The Mood That I'm In" - 10" VinylRecently signed with Legacy Recordings, Grammy-winning American jazz artist Cassandra Wilson honors the legendary Billie Holiday on the 100th anniversary of the singer's birth (April 7, 1915). Side A showcases Cassandra's sublime interpretations of these two songs closely associated with Lady Day while Side B features the beautiful originals performed by Billie Holiday. "You Got To My Head" appears on Coming Forth By Day, Wilson's debut Legacy album, a musical homage to Billie Holiday, produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and others). Cassandra's version of "The Mood I'm In" is available exclusively on this RSD collectible 10".

Citizen Dick – "Touch Me I'm Dick" - 7" Vinyl with etched B SideThis 7" vinyl version of "Touch Me, I'm Dick" is the signature single from Citizen Dick - the fictional grunge-rock band featuring members of Pearl Jam - from the 1992 Seattle-centric Cameron Crowe film Singles. The collectible "Touch Me, I'm Dick" single includes, on its B side, an etching of a quote regarding the meaning of the song's title from Citizen Dick frontman "Cliff Poncier," played by Matt Dillon in the film.

Jimi Hendrix– "Purple Haze" c/w "Freedom" – 7" VinylThis double A side single--mixed by Jimi Hendrix's long-term sound engineer Eddie Kramer--features two electrifying tracks recorded live at the Atlanta Pop Festival at Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia, on July 4, 1970 before the largest US audience (estimated between 300,000 - 400,000) of the guitarist's career. This RSD 2015 release is an incredible sonic document from Hendrix's Cry of Love tour.

Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible 20 – 12" Vinyl Picture DiscOriginally released on Epic Records in 1994, The Holy Bible has proved pivotal in the evolution of Manic Street Preachers and the alternative rock music landscape connecting the 20th and 21st centuries. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of this classic album, The Holy Bible 20 has been pressed on a 12" vinyl picture disc exclusively for Record Store Day and is being released to coincide with the eagerly-awaited Manic Street Preachers North American Tour, which kicks off on April 20 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.

Simon & Garfunkel - "Homeward Bound"/"Leaves That Are Green" - 7" VinylThis collectible 7" 45rpm vinyl releases recreates the original 1966 "Homeward Bound" single, pairing two essential Simon & Garfunkel cuts from that year: "Homeward Bound" (from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme) and "Leaves That Are Green" (from Sounds of Silence). A Top 5 single in the US, "Homeward Bound" became a worldwide phenomenon reaching #4 in the Netherlands and #9 in the UK while going Top 20 in Australia and Sweden (where it hit #12). The cover for this RSD 2015 release is based on the German single artwork.

Various Artists - The Wrestling Album/Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 - 12" 2LP Red/Yellow Colored VinylThis RSD 2015 release brings The Wrestling Album and Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 together as a 2LP collection, in a handsome spiral-bound jacket, celebrating a golden era in American pro wrestling mania. Originally released by the World Wrestling Federation in 1985, The Wrestling Album features tracks produced by Rick Derringer, David Wolff, Jim Steinman (Bat Out of Hell) and "Mona Flambe" (Cyndi Lauper, who contributes backing vocals on "Real American"); the album is comprised of theme music for wrestlers on the WWF (now the WWE) roster at the time. The 1987 follow-up, Piledriver: The Wrestling Album 2 showcases vocal performances from the wrestlers themselves, including "Stand Back" by Vince McMahon and "If You Only Knew" by The WWF Superstars.